The Israeli government has yet to make an official response to news of the cuts, Ynet said.

According to the Ynet report, US officials noted that this is the second time in as many years that the Obama Administration has reduced funding for Israel’s Short Range Ballistic Missile Defense program and the Arrow System Improvement Program. The 2013 budget has dropped more than $20 million from the 2011 amount of $121.7 million.

The latest budget proposal has drawn criticism from pro-Israel factions for coming at a time when Israel faces missile threats from Iran, Hezbollah and Gaza.

Israel is currently striving to further improve the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system, intended to defeat incoming long-range rockets.

The Arrow system is Israel's answer to the threat of long-range missile attacks. (photo credit: IAI via Tsahi Ben-Ami/Flash 90)

Haaretz reported that the annual $3 billion military aid package to Israel would remain unchanged, while funding for a future Palestinian state would be dependent on firm commitments to peaceful co-existence with Israel and combating terror in the West Bank and Gaza.

The US’s own ballistic missile program will also shrink, with $700 million cut from a budget of about $9 billion.

Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, denounced the cuts as irresponsible. “For an administration which tried to claim that it’s the best for Israel’s security, cutting critical funds for missile defense at a time when the threat from Iran has never been greater is extremely dangerous, worrisome and reckless,” he said.

By signing up, you agree to our
terms
You hereby accept The Times of Israel Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and you agree to receive the latest news & offers from The Times of Israel and its partners or ad sponsors.